30th Day of the First Month, fourth year of Tongguang A rare day of leisure. I spoke with Master Feng on matte…
30th Day of the First Month, fourth year of Tongguang
A rare day of leisure. I spoke with Master Feng on matters of the Dao and gained much from it, enough to count him a friend.
Then I heard that the times were about to change, and that he meant to cast aside his good name and enter Luoyang. I tried to dissuade him.
1st Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
Could not dissuade him. Tried reasoning with him instead.
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2nd Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
Reason failed, so I debated him.
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3rd Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
Debate failed. So I laid out the matter in terms of gain and loss.
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4th Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
Gain and loss made no difference. So I tried to move him with feeling.
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5th Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
Feeling made no difference. So I wrote and scolded him.
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6th Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
That blasted fellow...
Mind your words, mind your words. How can a gentleman speak to a friend like some petty wretch? I shall try again...
7th Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
I have heard that in southern Min there is a method for driving off evil. Today being the Awakening of Insects, I may as well try it and loosen my limbs besides.
A blow to your head, for making you throw away your good name, chasing Liang at dawn and Tang by dusk.
A blow to your hands, for making you leave behind silk and wealth alike.
A blow to your feet, for making you care for nothing in this world, and seek only the Dao.
A blow to your brow, for making you show bounty to the people, yet no loyalty to your ruler.
A blow to your ears, for making you heed nothing of propriety, righteousness, integrity, or shame.
A blow to your tongue, for making you refuse to speak plainly what your heart knows full well.
A blow to your heart, for all this foolishness, with neither talent nor virtue in it.
...
Ha. This method is excellent. Tomorrow I may argue with that fellow for another three hundred rounds...
18th Day of the Second Month, fourth year of Tongguang
Though Chorus of Life has passed, the method for driving off evil can hardly be called too much.
Strike...